Yemen says it has recaptured territory near Bab al-Mandeb
Government forces claim control of parts of a strategic coastal district, but independent confirmation is lacking.
Follow-up to: Yemen launches offensive against Houthis as war flares up Sunday, 4 October 2026, 16:00
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Yemen’s internationally recognised government says its forces have captured parts of Dhubab district near the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb. The claim follows a major offensive against the Houthis, but the extent and durability of the control have not yet been independently established.
According to sources cited by Reuters, government forces say they control large parts of Dhubab. The district lies on Yemen’s south-western coast and overlooks Bab al-Mandeb, the strait between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The government is backed militarily by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, who control large parts of northern and western Yemen, have gained ground along the Red Sea coast in recent weeks. According to Associated Press, they captured the port city of Mocha and islands in the surrounding area, among other places.
Bab al-Mandeb is an important hub for shipping between the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. AP describes the route as a corridor through which roughly 12 per cent of global trade passes. A prolonged disruption could therefore affect shipping routes, insurance, delivery times and energy trade.
The new claim does not automatically mean that the government controls the entire strait. Military statements by the parties to the conflict are difficult to verify independently. It is also unclear whether the Houthis have withdrawn completely or whether fighting is still taking place in the area.
The fighting is part of a broader escalation in the Yemeni civil war. On Sunday, the government announced a campaign to recapture areas controlled by the Houthis. Saudi Arabia is providing air support, while the United States, according to Axios, is not yet directly taking part in the counter-offensive.
For international shipping, the key question is whether control of the coast, islands and access routes holds. A temporary gain in territory says little about the safety of commercial shipping. Shipping companies and governments will therefore look not only at the government’s claim, but also at reports of attacks, mines, missiles and actual access to the strait.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Yemen’s internationally recognised government says it has gained ground near Bab al-Mandeb.
- The Houthis control large parts of Yemen and have reported recent gains along the Red Sea coast.
- Bab al-Mandeb is an important international shipping route.
- Independent confirmation of full control is lacking.
Left
Arguments A military recapture could expose civilians to further violence and displacement. The priority should be a ceasefire, humanitarian access and a political process in which Yemeni parties retain ownership.
Values Protection of civilians, international law and diplomacy.
Consequences Less military escalation could limit the humanitarian damage, but could also mean that the government does not immediately regain strategic territory.
Centre
Arguments Shipping safety requires protecting the route, but not unlimited foreign military involvement. Transparent verification and international mediation are needed to assess the claims and risks.
Values Stability, proportionality and international cooperation.
Consequences A limited security approach could protect trade, but would remain vulnerable as long as the political conflict continues.
Right
Arguments The government and its allies must prevent an armed movement from controlling an international trade route. Deterrence and military pressure may be necessary to push the Houthis towards withdrawal and negotiations.
Values National security, freedom of navigation and deterrence.
Consequences Greater military pressure could make the route safer, but would also increase the risk of regional escalation and prolonged war.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The territorial gain is presented as a claim by Yemen’s government, not as an independently established fact. The location and trading significance of Bab al-Mandeb were checked against AP and additional reporting.
- confirmed Yemen’s government says it controls parts of Dhubab near Bab al-Mandeb. — Reuters describes the claim on the basis of military and government sources. source
- confirmed The extent and durability of the control have not been independently established. — The available reporting consists mainly of statements by the parties to the conflict and military sources. source
- confirmed The Houthis captured Mocha and islands along the Red Sea coast. — Associated Press describes this recent territorial gain by the Houthis. source
- confirmed Roughly 12 per cent of global trade passes through Bab al-Mandeb. — This figure is mentioned in AP reporting on the strategic strait. source
- confirmed Saudi Arabia is backing the government militarily and the US is not yet directly taking part in the counter-offensive. — Saudi Arabia’s role and the US position are described by AP and Axios. source
Editor's note
The government claims a territorial gain near Bab al-Mandeb; independent confirmation of full control is lacking. The strait’s strategic importance, however, is well documented.Sources
The story so far
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 00:01 US sends third aircraft carrier to Middle East
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 20:02 Saudi Arabia considers offensive against Houthis
- Saturday, 3 October 2026, 06:17 Camp David talks heighten pressure over Iran and Yemen
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 00:57 US says it expelled two Iranian UN delegates
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 13:02 Iran keeps Strait of Hormuz closed until demands are met
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 16:00 Yemen launches offensive against Houthis as war flares up
- Monday, 5 October 2026, 12:13 Yemen says it has recaptured territory near Bab al-Mandeb (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- Het Parool — „jemen bab al-mandeb”
- Trouw — „jemen bab al-mandeb”
- NRC — „jemen bab al-mandeb”